Q When Is
The Best Time for Cleaning your Greenhouse
A There is
no Best Time it’s just one of those Jobs that has to be done! With regards to
when in the year cleaning is best done this depends on the plants being grown
For summer cropping such as tomatoes: clean in winter when the crop
has been cleared
For all year round plants such as
orchids: clean in mild
spells in autumn are best to improve light transmission as winter
approaches
For periodic and successive crops,
raising seedlings for example: clean in periods between crops such as autumn or spring
Most books suggest setting aside a good day for the task, ideally in
dry, calm weather, then;
Remove plants – a sheltered area with fleece
protection is a suitable area to hold plants while cleaning is carried out
This year I have nothing over wintering
in the SpaceSaver, but I will be chitting my spuds in it thus I need to make
sure it’s clean and ready for use by end of Feb/ March
Brush or vacuum to remove all debris for destruction
or removal from the garden
This was my first job, I’ve brushed
away all the cobweds and soil that has got onto the supports to my trays and
emptying all the pots of compost into two 10 Litre buckets with lids to be
taken down to the allotment and added to the composting Dalek or as a soil
conditioner in one of the new beds.
Clean the structural parts with disinfectant or detergent
(hot solutions are often best – consult manufacturers directions for use):
Hydrogen peroxide based products, often sold for veterinary purposes, are
especially benign to users and the environment; Garden disinfectants, such as
Jeyes fluid, are satisfactory; Specialist greenhouse cleaners, such as Just
Glasshouse Cleaner are also available; Domestic cleaning products may be used
Jeyes Fluid and disinfectant cloths
Glazing material should also be
washed inside and out, but for plastic materials test on a small inconspicuous area first to
be sure the cleaning material does not damage the glazing. Scrub off any old
shade paint on the outside of the glass from the summer
The amount of green grime on the polycarbonate
correx type material to the roof and side was quite astonishing, but there
again the greenhouse has not really been opened and used since the end of last
year’s growing season because this is the first year I have not overwintered
something, so a mixture of warm water with some
Jeyes Fluid and antibacterial wipes then a vinegar based window cleaner.
Ease out dirt trapped between panes using a flexible scraper such as
plastic plant label
Thankfully there are not many panes
in a Norfolk Space Saver
Replace broken parts such as vent controllers and draught
excluders
No Bells and Whistles to worry about
on this greenhouse
Pay attention to propagation areas
and equipment. Young plants are especially vulnerable to diseases
Most of my time is actually spent on
washing and cleaning all the trays and tray liners and modules ensuring that all
the mini snails and slugs are found and that all cobwebs are removed that that
Cleaning out gutters and water butts
At the same time as cleaning the greenhouse structure, it is also usually
a good idea to clean out other structures such as;
Gutters
These block easily with detritus so cleaning them out ensures the free
flow of water and limits build up of unwanted material in water butts.
1. Put on a pair of rubber gloves and
run your hand along the inside length of gutter
2. Scoop out any old leaves, moss and
other debris that has accumulated
3. Pay particular attention to the top
of fall pipes – these may need unblocking with the aid of a wire coat hanger
4. Sluice away remaining dirt with a
hosepipe or watering can, diverting water to a bucket for disposal around trees
and shrubs
5. Place a wire mesh cap where the
gutter meets the fall pipe to trap leaves and other larger debris. Clean this
out regularly, especially after leaf fall
6. Put any debris on the compost heap
No Gutters on the Norfolk Space Saver
Water tanks or water butts
Standing water in butts can become green with algae and may be a source
of water borne root rots such as Phytophthora.
Uncovered tanks may harbour mosquitoes. Ideally they should be cleaned out once
a year.
1. Drain out any water by tipping the
butt on its side to clear dregs and enable access for cleansing.
2. Scrub out the inside of the butt or
tank with a coarse brush, if accessible, using a proprietary cleaning product
such as Just Water Butt Cleaner or garden disinfectant. Tie a brush to a stick
to reach into areas that are otherwise inaccessible.
3. Rinse with clean water.
4. Refill then add a proprietary water
butt freshener as directed by the manufacturer. This will help to keep the
water clear of algae. As fresh rainwater enters the tank the strength will be
diluted and so repeat the treatment from time to time.Water that is discoloured or smelly
will not harm plants, although it is good practice to use tap water for
vulnerable seeds and seedlings.
6. Fit filters to rainwater diverters to
ensure butts are collecting clean rainwater. Old tights make a
satisfactory filter where it is not possible to fit more sophisticated
equipment.
7. Tight fitting lids that exclude light
will help keep butts free of contamination by soil and plant debris. They
are also a safety measure for young children and wildlife.
No Gutters means no Water Butts
Problems
Safety:Only attempt to clean gutters and glazing that are safe and easy to
reach. Avoid putting your body weight against conservatory or greenhouse
glazing. Long handled tools are available for safe working from ground level.
Wear eye protection and gloves when handling glass or sharp metal fittings.
Set of steps to get to
the flat roof of the Norfolk Space Saver.
For me this is going to take a few days a little bit at a time as I have a Man Cold and feel like rubbish, so started on Sunday afternoon with a brush up and cleaning of the top of the Space Saver and this morning the washing of many plastic pots, trays and sourcers.
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